Billy The Kid
Album: Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Label: Xtra Mile
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.billythekidonline.com/site/music/

Sometimes in life you plug away at something for years and its fine. Sure there are ups and downs and the odd downright disaster but it all works out in the end because you're sunny of disposition and among the top 1% of the world population when it comes to being resourceful. And then one day fate deals you a corker of a hand, karma gives you a great big hug and sends you on your way forward.

In a nutshell this is how life has gone over the last few years for Canadian songstress Billy Pettinger, aka Billy The Kid. From playing with her punk band Billy The Kid & The Lost Boys or throwing together a solo show (cos the band didn't turn up!), Pettinger has carved out a wonderfully independently spirited musical career that has seen her gather a veritable community of fans and friends all over the world whilst sailing blissfully under the radar. All this hit pay dirt though following a chance meeting with a certain Frank Turner which lead to a lightning quick 10 day album session and a deal with renowned London alternative label Xtra Mile. That album is Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and it's really rather splendid.

Born of the punk scene but blessed with a soulful blue-collar voice rather than a screech, Pettinger has put together a 13 song set that covers subject matter ranging from the loneliness of the road ('Riverbank'), forbidden love ('Lord Let Me') and generous strangers ('Thoroughfare). The record is impassioned at both ends of the spectrum both bombastically and gently, shifting effortlessly between the two and filling every gap in-between with thought provoking and uplifting lyrics. In terms of peers the likes of Chuck Ragan and the aforementioned Mr Turner are the most obvious reference points but there's a unique lilt to Billy The Kids voice that's more redolent of Eddi Reader or Suzanne Vega which is borne out all the more in her incredible story telling ability.

As high points go for the album you need look no further than the how-the-hell-did-we-get-here hayride of 'This Sure As Hell Ain't My Life'. It's a genuinely brilliant song from a genuinely brilliant album and deserving of the audiences that she may now find herself in front of. They say you make your own luck in this life and Billy The Kid has rightly made herself bucket loads of the stuff. Watch your back Billy Bragg, there's a new kid in town!

Rob Fearnley